tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73142952102217518702024-03-14T00:21:18.677-07:00BellaRome-Balancing On Twins and NeedlesA Blog about life with twins and my new found source of delight (and cathartic release), sewing.Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-2610604101324844612011-12-21T13:04:00.000-08:002011-12-21T13:05:12.855-08:00Christmas is in the air!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcin7TKPyMBZTaPLlA2RSITeklk4_9N-2FplekebrIwZiJeAKtOoqZoOsjKoXMY-Kp2EtJ8IlAzzyeshLEXI-QgYvtGPP341cEgdfbh2ryAxGTtMRlephspTm3RF0PE0i0suQG4BoKmM/s1600/Christmas+Card+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifcin7TKPyMBZTaPLlA2RSITeklk4_9N-2FplekebrIwZiJeAKtOoqZoOsjKoXMY-Kp2EtJ8IlAzzyeshLEXI-QgYvtGPP341cEgdfbh2ryAxGTtMRlephspTm3RF0PE0i0suQG4BoKmM/s400/Christmas+Card+2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Our Christmas card for the year. A definite favorite. My awesome sisters Michelle and Marygrace came up with the idea. My kids are hams and are always up for a chance to play!Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-58136662239743636212011-11-15T11:33:00.001-08:002011-11-18T06:06:46.774-08:00<b><u>My Swap Questionnaire</u></b><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">What are your hobbies? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><b>I really enjoy sewing though I haven't had as much time to do it lately. I also like crafting things. My new found love is the website Pinterest! </b></span></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Do you collect anything? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>No</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Are you allergic to any fibers or animals? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>I am allergic to cats and dogs but only if I am petting them and then rubbing my face.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Do you have any pets? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>I have two Italian Greyhounds, Rocky and Jelly. You can scroll down my blog to see a picture.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>I love Dunkin Donuts French Vanilla Coffee or Mexican Style Hot Chocolate.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">What do you like to read? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>Since I use it to relax I like to keep it light. Mostly chick-lit stuff like Sophie Kinsella. I do adore anything written by Jodi Picoult.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>I am not much of a sweets person. However I do like the new salted chocolates/caramels.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">What is your favorite holiday treat? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>My moms rocky road candy recipe.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Describe your favorite holiday tradition. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>Helping my sister bake so we can put together treat trays for friends and family.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Did you believe in Santa as a child? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>I knew and liked the idea but I always knew my parents got me the gifts.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">When do you open presents? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>One on Christmas eve and the rest on Christmas morning.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Do you put up a tree and when? If not, how do you celebrate?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b> Yes. We usually put it up a few weeks before Christmas This year I am getting it out after Thanksgiving because it looked so nice in our home. </b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">Does your tree have a theme? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>No. We just get things we like and make it as sparkly and colorful. The kids love to help decorate.</b></span></li><br />
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<li style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0.25em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-indent: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #444444;">What has been your favorite gift to give? to receive? </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: magenta;"><b>Any gift I can give to my kids to see their eyes light up.</b></span></li>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-8292965034515586362010-04-14T09:08:00.000-07:002010-04-14T09:18:07.706-07:00Making myself something pretty<div style="text-align: center;">Last night I decided to dig into my stash and make myself a dress from a pattern I found on <a href="http://www.youcanmakethis.com/">"You Can Make This"</a> website. I have some fabric I received from a friend that I love and I have been kicking around the idea of making myself some clothes. The patterns on that website are from people who make them and I find them the easiest and highly detailed patterns around. I leave for Vegas tomorrow so let's see if I can get this sewn up by then. When I told the hubby what I was doing he just chuckled in disbelief. Grrrr...</div><div style="text-align: center;">..<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Helvetica, serif;font-size:12px;"><img src="webkit-fake-url://7EA62E35-FF3F-40EF-8E45-0FEF1F917330/Meghan-Peasant-Dress-Tops-for-Women-Sizes-Misses-0-18-Womens-1x-3x.htm.jpg" alt="Meghan-Peasant-Dress-Tops-for-Women-Sizes-Misses-0-18-Womens-1x-3x.htm.jpg" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:Helvetica, serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Of course I do this while other project sit waiting. As usual. I finally finished quilting the quilt. It's on to binding. Ran into a minor problem with the photo I transfered. It didn't take so it started to peel. So I decided to applique and hand embroider the baby's name over the offending hiccup. I hope the crisis is avoided but I am bummed. Pictures to follow.</span></span></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-74454378192042536712010-04-05T13:46:00.001-07:002010-04-05T23:02:27.084-07:00A couple of things I'm working on...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JX27FZ0SEAYKBywYUnHTixz_-JflMIjsTnyPGMu5z3_dHdNDKrZXj5oVF57ggF9BUbenepTeeMVWdQae7_6hIA04sSt6d2vElku7JQ6DSWSiF-JeYJhAUaoJ5rZaE1BtsrnNJ-mWZHA/s1600/4421595077_fb2b80d35f_m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 154px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JX27FZ0SEAYKBywYUnHTixz_-JflMIjsTnyPGMu5z3_dHdNDKrZXj5oVF57ggF9BUbenepTeeMVWdQae7_6hIA04sSt6d2vElku7JQ6DSWSiF-JeYJhAUaoJ5rZaE1BtsrnNJ-mWZHA/s400/4421595077_fb2b80d35f_m.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456900654140181282" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">It's been forever since I've blogged. I'm horrible at it I admit. In any case I have been sewing away and creating some new things. First off I finished the last Flirty Apron Swap and created this for my swap partner...</div><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG74XVAph4qjkW8pBViCFfndytZiLSFlQQSWLrYnsrXQGcyy-nYLuOm-QMczovmJoPf9CaEUF6k9eHhPppMmQbbZUX6lqGkTg9_AgW1N-eNqI_tsABRQ_LmDmK_UarCwM8_R_zXWZGvDI/s400/DSC08443.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456765094537513874" /></div><div><br /></div><div><div>This was a fun swap and I used the A is for Apron book I won in a blog contest last year. I used the kitty fabric as a base. From that I pulled all the different coordinating fabrics I used in this piece. It came out great. I know it's bright and vibrant and not demure but neither am I. I hope it went to a good home.</div><div>In return for all my efforts I received an incredible apron from my partner. I was in love with this thing the minute I saw it. So was everyone else in my family. Isn't it great?</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmkIU7ihpYtnKUy833GPV4TDdhd0DjeLRaVR2VuZhUWl4ukayZz8p22Zo7WlsxLbmbRjpI9_5vM0hN0s-Uxw680LTE537nXowrr_wKQX_wNykd9H8JuHpyc2-Orr6zlHmX0Jw5dzmU7g/s1600/DSC08453.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmkIU7ihpYtnKUy833GPV4TDdhd0DjeLRaVR2VuZhUWl4ukayZz8p22Zo7WlsxLbmbRjpI9_5vM0hN0s-Uxw680LTE537nXowrr_wKQX_wNykd9H8JuHpyc2-Orr6zlHmX0Jw5dzmU7g/s400/DSC08453.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456774209255650690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 362px; height: 400px; " /></a><div><br /></div><div>In between I have been sewing up some things like an apron for my mother. I also embarked on my second/first quilting project. Before I left Illinois and my job, a co worker began to teach me the techniques of hand quilting. That technique got a lot of attention as I nursed myself back to health from a broken ankle I managed to obtain in early November. While working on that quilt I had a move across country to my hometown of San Diego. That project got pushed to the wayside and I began working on a machine quilt for my best friend who is expecting her first child in May. I am nearly done with the quilt. It has been a task. Quilting is not easy and I had to go a little fancy for my first try. I am currently in the final stages of the actual quilting of the quilt sandwich. It's not terribly pretty or accurate but not bad for a first time around. Here are a few pics of the quilt before sandwiching...</div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGRL_ZvIFb83wLEtMDTeB8im15jskkP9QDI88pL7JWsioR1XpprXz3nOAnao2E0MyjK2DlYLYxKRc0ADk2rAN9GuZAmuVIMGCBbDmvjKs8Hige3vDQPV5yt_OysECyZbEgZ3A-NibWLVM/s400/DSC_0166.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456767849534147202" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Since this is a quilt for the baby my mom suggested I put a photo of the parents on it. So I asked my BFF for a few pictures and then choose my favorite without telling her what it is for. I hope when she gets it she'll like it.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa1kAy7hFFKQL9FVsKN0qc15MhJmyy0Aj9it10b79_3Ty6K_9kXz1HKY2jR68quR3zdQp8dbvy4JCTZJ7VV4UYNlPH5Pa7uExvwWqEbFxxAsP4CUwMs20_Mwwv7fH56hBB0YqlzXzk74/s1600/DSC_0163.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNa1kAy7hFFKQL9FVsKN0qc15MhJmyy0Aj9it10b79_3Ty6K_9kXz1HKY2jR68quR3zdQp8dbvy4JCTZJ7VV4UYNlPH5Pa7uExvwWqEbFxxAsP4CUwMs20_Mwwv7fH56hBB0YqlzXzk74/s320/DSC_0163.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456771888466755906" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px; " /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Below is a picture of the full top. I used Michael Miller fabrics and Kona cotton that I purchase way back in December before I knew what I was going to do with them. I absolutely loved this fabric. There is a lot to be said for a high quality fabric. It really makes a difference. I think</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OgRzZFY2L_wrGm2IIiAqnFq-dKHao9eb-IuyRvvXscg0BnFs88Fe1MXvTVeZ-EKIUklAgIHcjOBAzvX4-ocZFCxAwf39VbjQQ3zoZYo-et-gSgYSASCUt4ABATIXMiJLc34IRN64xk8/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6OgRzZFY2L_wrGm2IIiAqnFq-dKHao9eb-IuyRvvXscg0BnFs88Fe1MXvTVeZ-EKIUklAgIHcjOBAzvX4-ocZFCxAwf39VbjQQ3zoZYo-et-gSgYSASCUt4ABATIXMiJLc34IRN64xk8/s400/DSC_0165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456768798642456994" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 364px; height: 400px; " /></a><div>I may want to try making myself a small quilt to keep so I can partake in its loveliness. I was thinking of using the idea from <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/2Bxaa">Sew Mama Sew's Quilt Along</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>A photo of the back. I used various pieces of the top pieced together.</div>So as you can see I have been busy. I ended up doing a basic stitch in the ditch quilting for the main blanket. Then I chose to do a meandering for the border. It has been a test. It's a lot of fabric to twist, push and turn through my machine. Not easy and not perfect but the meandering nature of the quilting on the border makes me think of animal tracks so I think it kind of goes with the quilt. I have to finish one border side and then add the edging. Once it's done I will wash and take final pics. I hopes it's something I end up really proud of. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmX_BzvXah3J9dNsEpk54qZkMX9xkU20mJf1P5BrrrQJfeJy3GdRFxLL07GSJONUfjGkUS6S4uh5HiAys0FIXg9F03R4Iw5zjn8GTAHUGphlo98p95CRdCq3xqPkVJcP8-pCWm0AC6uE/s1600/DSC_0161.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitmX_BzvXah3J9dNsEpk54qZkMX9xkU20mJf1P5BrrrQJfeJy3GdRFxLL07GSJONUfjGkUS6S4uh5HiAys0FIXg9F03R4Iw5zjn8GTAHUGphlo98p95CRdCq3xqPkVJcP8-pCWm0AC6uE/s400/DSC_0161.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5456770869190845618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 365px; height: 400px; " /></a></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-29305552624568988432009-12-30T10:20:00.001-08:002009-12-30T10:26:45.067-08:00Another Swap!<a href="http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 327px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5421096538469372338" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqee229ZRSJs_ZT0Zs1uNAB9Gu_Xk8Un1iLDcfND4njaNWTYHpWYs4PrSikLboRnDgs71PlApIQsdcNhaLqVQFS-g5ayVssTxyHJ1AEVu6B1pTE9kKtxDicyaA-_hZp_zL7ysB_X6QBFY/s400/FAS8+MM4.jpg" /></a><br /><div>I was so sad I had to miss the Christmas Swap with our big move back West and all the holiday activities. So I am jumping back in!</div><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-6535742437032343312009-09-10T07:24:00.000-07:002009-09-10T07:24:20.602-07:00Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!I entered this giveaway. I have twins that would love something like this (I'm thinking Christmas presents) so I'm hoping for the PDF of the pattern!!!<br /><br /><a href="http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2009/09/made-by-rae-jackpack-backpack-guest.html">Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!</a>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-91871957280269910772009-08-24T07:04:00.000-07:002009-08-24T07:31:18.636-07:00A Monday Worth Going to Work forSo overall I'm having a pretty good morning. Yesterday I completed my first 5K. I (a self pronounced no-runner) have been diligently training for the past 2.5 months. I found a great weekly podcast to download for my Nano and it has taken me from barely being able to run for 90 seconds at a time to jogging an entire 5K. This was a major task for myself as I am a woman of rounder proportions. Yet I was determined to set this goal for myself and acheive it! I've really surprised myself at what I was able to accomplish. On top of that I had some trully amazing friends and family support me all the way. I feel so incredibly proud in the fact that I made others proud in my accomplishments. Special thanks to my loving sisters, two of which successfully completed a HALF MARATHON!!! just last weekend. They were with me all the way and many times when I didn't feel like getting out to train I would think about having to tell them and it'd would motovate me out the door. My thrid sister who was at the race with me and her lovely family yesterday cheering, hugging, praying, and snapping pictures of me. My wonderful friend Jen who is a maranthon runner came out and ran the race with me. I know it had to be hard for her because I am sure i was turtling in comparison to the way she runs. Yet she stayed with me and kept me going step by step. I love that girl. Finally to my own family. My 4 year old twins running to give me a great hug at the finish line and my wonderful husband for telling and really making me feel like he was proud of me. I am hoping that I am starting to set a good example for my little ones. They were a major reason why I did this. I know they are far too young to understand the significance but I hope it plants a seed in their little minds.<br /> So I head in to work today expecting a typical Monday. Well about a half hour ago a coworker comes in with a bag of fabric. In it was some amazing vintage bark cloth and old flour sacks. She said her neighbor had a garage sale and she was getting rid of her mothers old stuff. This wonderful co-worker ended up buying a bin of this miscellaneous cloth and went in and took the stuff she was interested in out. She is giving me the rest of the fabrics to me to do with as I desire. She brought in a sample of the fabric and I just about died of excitement. I am so sad I didn't bring my camera with me but as soon as I go home I'll snap some pics and share my finds! Until then have a great day! I know I will!Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-60351546040931387752009-07-09T10:58:00.000-07:002009-07-09T11:21:05.849-07:00Another project for the books<div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356526090958790018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYJrBEu6vhB1WvwnbHE-vu1XigWQrUnE9y9gSnWvNVFGfSDz1K1dHIRK2kQUxRaIQYNNvqW6F1c3z7eTKIIn26Z6I_ofOJUSer5-3n44c-3jBukl-HRU74A9q6tbEyotmZI7rl_zFt64E/s400/Mom's+Summer+Purse3.jpg" /><br /><div>I bought a pattern for the <a href="http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=26412909">SWEET AND SASSY PLEATED HANDBAG </a>last year from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=67285">artsy-craft babe </a>on etsy. Thus far I have made one of these for my Mom and my MIL. I adore this pattern. It is easy and well written. It also makes for a fabulous bag at the end. I need to make one for myself. </div><div>Well mom had hers since November and asked me for something more summery. I gave her some fabric swatch choices and she picked some lovely fabric from Heather Bailey's Pop Garden Collection. I pulled out some extra red fabric I already hand in my stash and whipped this up. I really like how it came out and I'm sure mom will be happy with her new purse. Now it is on to the three (yes three) nursing civers I am making for pregnant friends (with matching burp cloths) and the I Love Lucy Apron swap I entered. Ahhh. the joys of project sewing! I already recieved my apron fabric and picked what style I'll be making. I hope my partner will enjoy it!<img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356526229025060898" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjALds4LiFO3QY5WrBCewfrnkzFuDHc6NAT5Bod_HEDmLAuY06LEfN9ZPMM5iwC54DztLWWZPBhwx5EJtlEPVbX-SxPCdOPi5QLp6QTPAbw6XaSo1NV_zA8zhbBqBCnr1cTpnM9i6TNc/s400/Mom's+Summer+Purse2.jpg" /><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356525917084842962" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIAVUbzxyZYRp__3WzPCfdnEVvFL9M9pdKVCycFtX6beHf2KcTxSy2pDY0GSw7TqIJ8bfFzfjRiHc-K9Cn395iI9011DKea3jypV2MFKHdtCrFdA2bgyziaKPUR_lFmT_0OjfJVu42czU/s400/Mom's+Summer+Purse.jpg" /></div></div></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-18267110564412357432009-06-23T08:21:00.001-07:002009-06-23T08:39:56.639-07:00It's Been Too Long<div>Too long since I blogged of course. Not that I haven't been sewing. I just haven't been posting since I finished my daughters lovely princess dress. I will also admit that my sewing did slow down a bit. There was some vacations followed by my husband travelling and some other things that just kept me from my machine. Now I am starting to get back in to the swing of things yet again. I have three nursing covers with matching burp cloths to make, a summer purse I am half way through for my mom, and a couple of bean bag chairs I have in the works as presents for my twins birthday in Sept. </div><br /><div>With that I decided to sighn up for another Apron Swap. I so enjoyed receiving my Apron the last time so decided to give it a try again. I will be aprticipating in the below </div><div><a href="http://flirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 183px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5350547500570136258" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXisFCBTvMFzZOKnnqMgE-BjVLIh4VY8EsDeAwBbvUJLUO9VfQod1Ka7v_VnKpqZv-r-OxPnIJBIVqesN-T3IT0Afpb8K-zjNx86Z9L2hUtT2SQBHHcjsx1rM7q-cJ6hp5oaHI9eqod1k/s400/I+love+Lucy+blog+button.jpg" /></a></div><div>I'm very excited because I do like retro stuff and I believe this may lend itself to something fun and retro. So take a peek and sign up if you are interested!</div><div> </div><div>I will be posting more things and I complete them so stay tuned!</div><div> </div><div> </div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-27408182066616186332009-04-01T06:16:00.000-07:002009-04-01T06:30:01.500-07:00New project in the worksI am set on a new project. It's a piece for my sister and a little late coming. It had meant to be a birthday present but her birthday was January 24th so just a wee bit off. She new I had the Princess Dress project going so as soon as I got home from San Diego I was able to start. Not putting too much in case she may come across this blog. The piece was taken from Amy Butler's "In Stitches" book. Can't wait until it is finished.Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-18359224084736748302009-03-10T07:59:00.000-07:002009-03-10T08:53:29.726-07:00I'm Back....sorta<div><div>It's done! I'm done. It's a success! I finally finished the princess Aurora dress for my little Bizz with a week to spare before our vacation. I can't wait to see her at Disneyland when she meets the Princesses. When she saw the dress she was ecstatic. It made it all worth the while. This thing was an advanced pattern in my mind. It was a bear but I am so happy with result. I learned a lot while making this pattern and I am so glad I gave myself plenty of time to make it. Here are a few pics of the littlest princess of the family. Nest stop, beautiful San Diego for 10 days!!!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311587135709382610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 225px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNcvjmUMAVdMkKev010z4OlgF-jPq-_91KNr_DxLp_FlTApK_Te21KTIbjSpT8_zGtWD74O8UgDxZZcHFSX88uy7AX3eC_Kg0vcw50ThBuzMHtpu5ML2GkjoAm_-0eSKBLVQYatR_4A-c/s400/The+Princess+3.retouched.jpg" border="0" /></div></div><br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311587135023929122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivtTBVImaQ-YE8B7cMC34PBK_JCQ4L1YqGpnnc2QBp06GSEHTJUWIQQFAhSxqarJeoOQUp1qiCa30leGcsYIZjeSKk06Pndhf2bi-RWd8SO2jgulRvjXs_FphI6UaeXP7XMWhoCmKVqvU/s400/The+Princess+5.jpg" border="0" /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5311587143251557986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 244px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0QHTCl9vPMk-aJ9JVCgwdFxZtvHctg6PS9ddSqq5SzPkokUVq09wnWbRzOCb6S7p2WQysRed4YVHlb5jPouewgWK-DFUsv8_3xFEokRnPbrT75DVNjMXyAC58Zp2cQbtzQcovDYHfx0U/s400/The+Princess.jpg" border="0" />Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-72131795338273421212009-02-16T07:45:00.000-08:002009-02-16T07:55:25.867-08:00I've gone into hiding<div style="text-align: center;">Not really....but sorta. I am in the process of putting together a Sleeping Beauty dress for my own little princess. I found the pattern on EBay as it is no longer available anywhere else. I loved this pattern as it looks just like the one Aurora wears in the cartoon. This March we'll be going to Disneyland for the first time and I want her to have something special she could wear. She is big into dress, big into princess and when I showed her a picture... she went bonkers. I just couldn't bring myself to buy the poorly made stuff in the stores. I've seen what people pay for this stuff and then how quickly and easily it gets trashed. The only thing is this sucker is a bear to make. Not hard per se just very detailed and lots of pieces to cut out over 30+ when all is said and done. Yet I am on a site where people have finished the product and they all say the detail on this thing makes it al worth it when it is said and done. So, in between working and caring for my family I try to get in as much sewing as possible. I just hope I can finish it in time!<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXwXTZ0wSzYTaKeAhrIQJMSqirGD8M3augXdr2ndU0qT5vaNX-qF0A7R-gICGm2X-iT2S_9mByWFRxMedovh1MXpty-vgGDNNS5UHasTtYgXS3ThdjUI76EJI9rEKLYnC0SsQieqUWFk/s1600-h/9384.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXwXTZ0wSzYTaKeAhrIQJMSqirGD8M3augXdr2ndU0qT5vaNX-qF0A7R-gICGm2X-iT2S_9mByWFRxMedovh1MXpty-vgGDNNS5UHasTtYgXS3ThdjUI76EJI9rEKLYnC0SsQieqUWFk/s400/9384.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5303424269521044018" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 388px; " /></a>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-60971345248538209702009-01-30T06:26:00.000-08:002009-01-30T07:24:09.417-08:00What Have I Gotten Myself Into???<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw9Me6zDHO3jnOwshMiRxzZVF419F7II76p38uVvarznhdBIWhu1KkQaVJNqy7rANn-vzd7QSC7kH5vWk4fLgmC7Jgw2MN-4TiUqvDWCCB8DB00eVzaTy4MEcnDeBxi9afVBRqKj76II/s1600-h/Swap+Apron.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297101888717077730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 283px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdw9Me6zDHO3jnOwshMiRxzZVF419F7II76p38uVvarznhdBIWhu1KkQaVJNqy7rANn-vzd7QSC7kH5vWk4fLgmC7Jgw2MN-4TiUqvDWCCB8DB00eVzaTy4MEcnDeBxi9afVBRqKj76II/s320/Swap+Apron.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>It came! It came! Can you imagine my excitement when I walked into the house yesterday and saw a lovely little package sitting on the counter with my name on it? I had a few things on order that I've been waiting for but this one seemed to be just the right size for a beautiful apron to be sitting in. I had a quick 15 minutes before I had to get the kids into the car for soccer class but I knew I had to open and see what goodie was waiting for me! I was so excited when I opened my box to find my lovely apron. The colors are not conventional V-Day but I love them! My favorite, my absolute favorite thing about this apron is that she made the ties extra long so I can actually pull the around and tie in the front the way I always see. I just love it and now I am hooked on swaps! I may never be able to stop!<img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5297101894085579634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 237px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfFTcgxg2L11Sy89W8tckyebOhBXwun0WRoJbk2IDrt9Tb2HCpvQF9IrI1CNhmbFSRsKsryA7lmF1r5Wi_9UovfUiSOM9xtfdb93PnV0q45cKBbqQkccmUhVmKy9-0nL38zV_9hD89Jw/s320/Swap+Apron2.jpg" border="0" /></div><div>Isn't it just lovely? <a href="http://mscantbewrong.blogspot.com/">My lovely partner can be found here at her blog </a>. Please visit her and tell her what a lovely job she did. She made me an apron I love and that makes me feel pretty. So far all the aprons I've made have been for other people. It's really nice to have someone make one for you. It's even better have have it look so nice on you. I think I look pretty good in my new apron, don't you? I just love the band on the bottom cut on the bias to give it just a little flounce. My husband even had something to say. He likes the "green dingleberries" on the bottom.</div><div></div><div>Of course the good didn't end there. In my box of apron loveliness sat sparkly shimmery nail polishes to match my apron. Those were promptly scooped up by my 3 year old daughter who hasd an unnatural obsession with nail polishes. One lovely weekly menu planner that was opened and placed immediately on my fridge. I'm hoping this will help get us organized and stop the "What's for dinner" and subsequent trip to eat out. Next was one lovely packet of mini emery boards in a matchbook cover. I just love this becuase I was always, repeat always breaking or chipping a nail. That's easy to do with twins who are forever asking you to open something . So these will surely be a life (or at least nail) saver for sure. Lastly but not least was a box of Ferrer Roche chocolates in a flavor I have not seen. I can't wait to get home today to try one out! Ideally I should have taken a picture of all my goodies together but since my home is like living with a pack of wolves, all the stuff was pulled out before I could think to take the picture. All I'm saying is that the box of chocolate had better be untouched when I get home today! :)</div><div></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-8835923603434031122009-01-27T09:30:00.000-08:002009-01-27T09:47:49.605-08:00Take A Look<div>If you get a chance take a look at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6416747">Sherry Etsy Shop</a>. She has some wonderful vintage like pieces in her shop. My favorite is the Unique Pincusion as shown below. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296031590535260722" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfVIdOB-lMIcgkq1HuB__BhS0d_GYmbox1Y6es8Ygh8eLFKmMqUIeGQoVzYP6n7PHlz56v5XwoVHVXMuhy36VbsD9VRuYVKSmiYS7AS4oTTsteUycUQDhbQ8EsikwQ9g3R0-bBG53Rf1I/s320/unique+pin+cushion.jpg" border="0" /></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-54138269679396045562009-01-26T09:53:00.000-08:002009-01-26T10:10:56.584-08:00Drumroll please......<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzIBJsgPDv0HZA2mtU26B1MXSR33dW1XqDwebDhHqcAF8FHV_IPffcg6DXIrdnvfHB-EP8EUwEVRYq_xXi-1frS-o0zFIKXt6_GqUzerTtR5rLX0AJ3X6g-lm6_gVtX-A6J5lUC5Fbtc/s1600-h/Valentine+Apron+Swap.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295664220978930210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKzIBJsgPDv0HZA2mtU26B1MXSR33dW1XqDwebDhHqcAF8FHV_IPffcg6DXIrdnvfHB-EP8EUwEVRYq_xXi-1frS-o0zFIKXt6_GqUzerTtR5rLX0AJ3X6g-lm6_gVtX-A6J5lUC5Fbtc/s320/Valentine+Apron+Swap.jpg" border="0" /></a> So as I have mentioned I entered into my first swap as noted by my lovely and prominent tag above. Well I am pleased to say that I finished and mailed out my package today! I can't wait until my partner opens it up. My only hope is that she loves it as much as I do. It's a little "out of the box" when it comes to a Valentine's Apron. The words evoke thoughts of pink, red, black, white. This blasts that out of teh park and that's partially why I love it. When I saw this fabric I had to have it. I tell you it was very hard giving this baby up. It just makes me happy and smile just looking at it. I really think I'll be ordering more of this fabric and making a repeat as I love it so much I feel it must be a part of my own collection. <img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5295664227737010258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 246px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvOkm2Ll4GM2NoRw8iqp8AiXCx0caP1Y1fS24kD_mKKDlxJ1s7eByyw2KoS5vgJX11lGAC6OoaYXu7lTD7VT18BpHOUXOSE5Hf_kKwicbo51zRuUovAVBMX0XJaGCKqBHQ9XxHep7vQg/s320/Valentine+Apron+Swap+2.jpg" border="0" /><br />(pay no attention to the awful model. She does no justice to the apron!)Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-17879547538710380832009-01-22T06:25:00.000-08:002009-01-22T06:57:27.798-08:00Homeward Bound<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZx5BGTzOiKSgzcTTg1XdqteBmuVPGVYlPcfDbDYiQ0TXvPHu14GRYfY-TBh07cx1ibqHTQS2Hkn1_GwbL0VClenGlXxLzdoJ_VVDawrGf5QohEAD6Mw8i4HjcjtclcVcSnssj3RG2eL4/s200/Vicky's+Apron2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294131546063269058" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 173px; height: 200px; " /><div>Another great giveaway has been put together. It is for a free apron from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5513884">Vicky's-My Mom</a><a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5513884"> Would Be Proud's Etsy Shop.</a></div><div>When you get a chance take a look around at the shop. She has some very cute fabrics. My personal favorite is the Rock Around the Clock. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>****************************************</div><div>So I am once again home bound. My daughter decided to practice her Linda Blair moves yesterday and thus we had a stay home. The day was spent relatively uneventful. We had no more puking incidents and we thought we were home free. About half an hour after putting daughter to bed we her her plaintive cries. She had thrown up in her bed which required a full stripping and washing of her bed and pajamas and a 3rd bath for the day. We made a little bed for her next to ours and she slept soundly enough. Too soundly because the girl snores like a trucker! In any case it required that I once again stay home from work.<br /></div></span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">An added benefit to this is that I have been able to get a jump on my Swap partners apron. I</span></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyMn-SSdBGOnfvblqYEYiwzqHr_51AA9CCrQk1II6MJcA9xTejaqZSxFoddJ2jY41L9xfgcU4jXjXNyykZYZwjolVTSTrEZqOnEBoWRyz59UUm-duw-gh-GmEJJUs4WdJnT86I2EWZUs8/s200/swap+fabric.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294126994760042498" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> received my fabric in the mail on Tuesday. I spent yesterday washing, pressing, and cutting out the pattern during nap time. This is part of the <a href="http://sassyflirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/">Sassy/Flirty Apron Swap</a> . It is a Valentines day swap and I decided to go with something fun and unexpected. I saw this fabric and fell in</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> love with it. It's even better looking in person. I can't wait to sew this baby together and see the finished product. I really hope that my partner will like it.</span></div><div><br /></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 199px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidRHqQID4ZIa8XT9KaaEDwuyUTNiM70mSB5XfmDlyr9eQNYqg9cjog5I4VHNuij3f2zPQhRS0VuSffeP-zZR-6fWlc6WRjI0GO5N8f2QV2aSyd-jHPI9ApB2wVDXOLzdC5JTtGavGC9bI/s200/cookie+cutter.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294129379446457346" /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">One of the great things about this swap is the little gifts they keep giving away. I was so excited to learn that I had been a winner of one of these giveaways. I won some lovely heart shaped cookie cutters. I've been trying to expand my cookie cutter stash as I have wanted to get more into cookie baking now that the twins are getting older and enjoy doing things like this. So these will be welcomed gifts! </span></div><div><br /></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-40372926059192838682009-01-09T07:38:00.000-08:002009-01-09T07:51:46.435-08:00Give-Away from The Apronista!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29dTvg5_EtZdSOYmbsOJabsAXG-7-N1xlJl-7KDrGBTa8Zk0QGexmBcYKpup_xcYOehyOKiAABbYz3Y6n6xXHFLC3VAy_wFpYSuXpnkhyuf6k5gDibfwsOux4vq1jjRYJiemtFOlCpOE/s1600-h/thehiphostess.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5289321329857619362" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 175px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 200px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh29dTvg5_EtZdSOYmbsOJabsAXG-7-N1xlJl-7KDrGBTa8Zk0QGexmBcYKpup_xcYOehyOKiAABbYz3Y6n6xXHFLC3VAy_wFpYSuXpnkhyuf6k5gDibfwsOux4vq1jjRYJiemtFOlCpOE/s200/thehiphostess.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>2009 brings so many new and fun things. If you love Aprons (and you really should) then you should join "The Apronista". They are hosting their first giveaway of the year. A lovely apron from<strong> </strong><a href="http://http://www.thehiphostess.com/store/Default.asp"><strong>The Hip Hostess</strong></a>. These are some seriously gorgeous aprons (see pic) so if you are interested in siging up for the giveaway follow me to "<strong>The </strong><a href="http://apronista.blogspot.com/2009/01/january-giveaway-hip-hostess.html#comments"><strong>Apronista</strong></a><strong>"</strong> blog for more details. Aprons = Happiness!</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-4698482050977381122009-01-05T19:55:00.000-08:002009-01-05T20:00:25.750-08:00<span class="Apple-style-span" style=" font-weight: bold;font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">A Slideshow of My Year In Crafting</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=";font-size:large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div>I got this idea from <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold; "><a href="http://life-is-a-musical.blogspot.com/">Life is a Musical.</a></span><br /></div><div>I hope you enjoy as much as I enjoyed remembering what I created in the 6 months since I've begun sewing.</div><div><br /></div><p style="visibility:visible;"><object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="http://widget-9a.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf" height="320" width="426" style="width:426px;height:320px"><param name="movie" value="http://widget-9a.slide.com/widgets/slideticker.swf"><param name="quality" value="high"><param name="scale" value="noscale"><param name="salign" value="l"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"> <param name="flashvars" value="cy=ms&il=1&channel=72057594050296474&site=widget-9a.slide.com"></object></p><p style="white-space:nowrap"><a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=72057594050296474&map=1" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-9a.slide.com/p1/72057594050296474/ms_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide1.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=72057594050296474&map=2" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-9a.slide.com/p2/72057594050296474/ms_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide2.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a> <a href="http://www.slide.com/pivot?cy=ms&at=un&id=72057594050296474&map=F" target="_blank"><img src="http://widget-9a.slide.com/p4/72057594050296474/ms_t000_v000_s0un_f00/images/xslide42.gif" border="0" ismap="ismap" /></a></p><p></p><br /></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-53548766092783198062009-01-03T18:00:00.000-08:002009-01-04T16:10:02.755-08:00A few gifts I put together the past few weeks<div style="text-align: center;">In between the large apron order I was doing for my girlfriend, a few birthdays and such came around. My MIL's birthday was right after Thanksgiving. We hadn't gotten her anything and so I offered to make her a purse. My husband was all for it since we were looking to get her something different this year. I picked the pattern up from <a href="http://http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=67285">Artsy-Crafty Babe</a> . This is the second purse I have made. The prototype was made for my mom but I forgot to get pictures in my excitement at having it turn our so well. It's the perfect size and fits and stays nicely on the shoulder. My mom is already thinking of a spring purse and I have a few people putting an order in after the holidays. The result ended in this lovely number.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIC3YY0eX240LhHnkOr7ztpOy5FLNfhenl5HGDOb1IqFkyhPlypHfo_zT49t-80mF9WtgoGMs0_7H6pQB4l-MpSDNF3_hvKxYAROfVMaH1aKsBHDx8eAtrA__-oZpRdTigOXHOg7L8Eg/s1600-h/DSC07478.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggIC3YY0eX240LhHnkOr7ztpOy5FLNfhenl5HGDOb1IqFkyhPlypHfo_zT49t-80mF9WtgoGMs0_7H6pQB4l-MpSDNF3_hvKxYAROfVMaH1aKsBHDx8eAtrA__-oZpRdTigOXHOg7L8Eg/s320/DSC07478.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287547045558183890" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg68WcLhHYI_aVJIxjM-a5K4pnJTHgmjWWw2oiOO7dwPy6RvGzygW3WGHDnDuzNgVmrZXPKJpT9pBZ8Tq9c28_dKzu34bIIlaKsQYus6j4W53MIi-5byrUXkNp48z1tglztInjCYg9SdMI/s320/DSC07482.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5283347766766622610" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span><div>Two weeks ago we were invited to a friend's house to see their new place and have dinner. As a gift to the wife I pulled together a half apron from my stash of fabric. I used the pattern from my newly acquired, A is for Apron book. </div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWy_hgp2z8OqP9BhzQ2qRxqBmVRaj6DOYRkC_UtRxn4VOWWWpE_zUAmBC2oZCJaCcDcQgUYG8jDS_lgGUaQ5-3B9nESnBHuZct4-JKIDhHPc1k2kkqWXqiKePFdIzzDUD7N7BZ_PrhDN4/s200/DSC07467.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287544940523999490" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /><div>The book has some great apron choices and I think this turned out lovely with the fabric I choose. The hostess is an itty bitty thing so I made the ties a little longer so that she could bring them round and tie them in the front. I hope she liked it. I can't wait to try some of the other patterns.</div><div><br /></div><div>A few weeks ago my niece had her birthday. Well, her actual birthday is on Christmas so her mom usually has a party two weeks before the actual day so it doesn't get all mixed up in the holiday. I had bought this pattern from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5727447">SewSpoiled </a>and was dying to give it a try. The purse I ended up </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn1j7p3zWeHiFmySUMz4YvAin29mDhBsbURLysSI9fq_pcTGCotWduXYWMNtgsCD_E9LJftungmHyWJwSkXg75Ua7WyDt1bpUBw3tgnHlVVVGFGoiduoFIcBOv1NEj_lXOT1rLjn8nZQ/s1600-h/DSC07535.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhn1j7p3zWeHiFmySUMz4YvAin29mDhBsbURLysSI9fq_pcTGCotWduXYWMNtgsCD_E9LJftungmHyWJwSkXg75Ua7WyDt1bpUBw3tgnHlVVVGFGoiduoFIcBOv1NEj_lXOT1rLjn8nZQ/s200/DSC07535.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287545514128777106" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><div> was a slightly bigger version of the mini Ladybug purse. You can see I used some of the same fabrics as the apron as she liked </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQwmX_fPlgWP2y7WwOGmpLb2Y6SIRD7xcoC6PEASgtG0aKkZORfOcjZ3pg7o9DlsKtQcvV0a3cI53xB1R2S8o49fX3ESiZPv8VvnNz9yQP5XTQH99V62JwDUcg6O1wcfR3ah4D-MEWZg/s1600-h/DSC07536.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQwmX_fPlgWP2y7WwOGmpLb2Y6SIRD7xcoC6PEASgtG0aKkZORfOcjZ3pg7o9DlsKtQcvV0a3cI53xB1R2S8o49fX3ESiZPv8VvnNz9yQP5XTQH99V62JwDUcg6O1wcfR3ah4D-MEWZg/s200/DSC07536.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287548184217769202" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><div>same colors. This purse really made a cute impression with anyone. It was fairly easy and it's a wonderful purse to make for a special little girl in your life. This pattern has the option of a top zipper or a side zipper. I went for the side zipper and it definitely added a nice different twist to it. I can't wait to make the larger version of this purse which is a large over the shoulder style. </div><div><br /></div><div>I am so excited to be taking part in my first apron swap. I can't wait to get started and find out my partner and begin the process. I came across this on The Apronista website I am a member. If you are interested click on this link: <a href="http://sassyflirtyapronswap.blogspot.com/">http://sassyflirtyapronswap.blogspot.com</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk4W2YHK08ZIVcLcLpnMy71wAcHkvbzH7NX5XKHK3Q40av_Qk0ydPtlUqCmFAvm7PPDdHBXo6p4mVgQbiSmY66J_ffr_7XjyFLM-93jLYpu_MKlnVPM0Yt_ZoTX1xDvhD0W2tdbrQoU0/s1600-h/Sassy+Flirty+Apron+Swap.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIk4W2YHK08ZIVcLcLpnMy71wAcHkvbzH7NX5XKHK3Q40av_Qk0ydPtlUqCmFAvm7PPDdHBXo6p4mVgQbiSmY66J_ffr_7XjyFLM-93jLYpu_MKlnVPM0Yt_ZoTX1xDvhD0W2tdbrQoU0/s400/Sassy+Flirty+Apron+Swap.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5287549135401369826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 190px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> I have a feeling this will be a good year for my sewing. I am hoping that as I sew more projects my knowledge will increase. Project #1 this year will be to make the twins some robes. I'll be starting those within the next few days. I will post pictures as I get going. My SIL has also requested a purse like the one I made my MIL so I'll be searching for fabric for that soon. I hope everyone had a great New Year's! Here to a great 2009!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-11035794115674777742008-12-31T06:16:00.001-08:002008-12-31T06:16:53.431-08:00<p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><img src="webkit-fake-url://466DE249-0233-47C2-80B0-BBA93E5BE205/HAPPY%20NEW%20YEAR%20189.jpg" alt="HAPPY NEW YEAR 189.jpg" /></p><p style="text-align: center;margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Helvetica; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I hope that you all have a safe and Happy New Year! Here's to seeing what 2009 has in store for us!</span></p>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-86822001985000993122008-12-22T06:46:00.000-08:002008-12-22T08:31:50.909-08:00Happy Holidays<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszXnD3wI0lms16iYUYTecM5rOfrfXe7j7xtX7Mjb9G6my_rjBwW-yKEEj_56RS6e_RKVrUqEb17RQqaNKiriNc8SpRDeyAdyXsu5aTHN9wwYlxQj9toK00J3evsVZxkjkJHZsvoJKwTY/s1600-h/Fall+Outing+063.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282636800571508354" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjszXnD3wI0lms16iYUYTecM5rOfrfXe7j7xtX7Mjb9G6my_rjBwW-yKEEj_56RS6e_RKVrUqEb17RQqaNKiriNc8SpRDeyAdyXsu5aTHN9wwYlxQj9toK00J3evsVZxkjkJHZsvoJKwTY/s320/Fall+Outing+063.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0vMpAAmbYlzpMguWmmut3Yid4k9hn2n5vMTbKJOgTZuYWwGlZPFwLmcPYZM1UtW80sXnIgAn7iyW_VJt6trFqxQrE8lZddmTbTyzHv7z_sXRODqKtY4A3PUEyIRkAk7kjKWcJ3mW0wU/s1600-h/Fall+Outing+015.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282636787985637170" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi0vMpAAmbYlzpMguWmmut3Yid4k9hn2n5vMTbKJOgTZuYWwGlZPFwLmcPYZM1UtW80sXnIgAn7iyW_VJt6trFqxQrE8lZddmTbTyzHv7z_sXRODqKtY4A3PUEyIRkAk7kjKWcJ3mW0wU/s320/Fall+Outing+015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLRpcXg2_2AuBFHLVe73TVuZN5C0ZAycVVeGhKWRs71wKtpfqePrmAEk_l09Meh-WZAbzDzOCNjq98GQatx1d9y6UjxQXDn4yA_2pHEvF1IIjhlwzXY7ZHxarBtKga1c4jKTdKLm7-vo/s1600-h/Fall+Outing+011.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282636783943991442" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLRpcXg2_2AuBFHLVe73TVuZN5C0ZAycVVeGhKWRs71wKtpfqePrmAEk_l09Meh-WZAbzDzOCNjq98GQatx1d9y6UjxQXDn4yA_2pHEvF1IIjhlwzXY7ZHxarBtKga1c4jKTdKLm7-vo/s320/Fall+Outing+011.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl1Y4Dhm1sY0ocVYJkvXjNgJRfEAaDxnFN289n2t3lK1PZYS2DEsZGLiPtgXgT_C4ewoqQwl6mPfvU8QhkRpJ8iaIfnR_VqPRIKqNjW06Y2f5QLyeGFRwbjplXjgz-oUyzdAskdH6TZM/s1600-h/Fall+Outing+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5282636777798325586" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 240px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWl1Y4Dhm1sY0ocVYJkvXjNgJRfEAaDxnFN289n2t3lK1PZYS2DEsZGLiPtgXgT_C4ewoqQwl6mPfvU8QhkRpJ8iaIfnR_VqPRIKqNjW06Y2f5QLyeGFRwbjplXjgz-oUyzdAskdH6TZM/s320/Fall+Outing+001.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />So much for keeping up with this new blog. With the holidays fast approaching I was being kept busy with crazy kids, a huge family order of 7 aprons for Christmas, various birthdays that required a quick stitching up of one thing or another. In between that we had a huge snow storm, a couple of sub freezing temperature filled days, and a bought of the cold that's been going around and is still lingering. I put my finishing touches on my last sewing projects before Christmas. I made a few things for my sister's but I can't post pics yet as they may read this blog. So I packed up the ole' sewing machine and put everything away which for me means I cleared the dining room table (my "space" as I don't hace a sewing table or room of my own)and piled my goodies in a neat pile in a corner. Ahhh... one day we will have a bigger home and not just a two bedroom townhome and I'll have my own craft space. In the mean time I am ready to relax a bit before Christmas hits. I'll actually be going to sleep on time instead of sewing into the wee hours of the night which is the only time you have with twins. So I will leave you with a few pics of some of my latest and greatest. The Bears Apron is a set of three. Daddy's (pictured) and two sons 6 and 1.5 will all these matching pieces. I can't wait to get a pictureof the three of them together!Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-57991403686919321022008-12-02T12:02:00.001-08:002008-12-02T12:02:16.172-08:00This is a classic!<div style='background-color:#e9e9e9; width: 425px;'><object id='A359198' quality='high' data='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=Q8ntcKwqCphHhBIG4QU8PKwf&service=sendables.jibjab.com&partnerID=JibJab' pluginspage='http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer' type='application/x-shockwave-flash' wmode='transparent' height='319' width='425'><param name='wmode' value='transparent'></param><param name='movie' value='http://aka.zero.jibjab.com/client/zero/ClientZero_EmbedViewer.swf?external_make_id=Q8ntcKwqCphHhBIG4QU8PKwf&service=sendables.jibjab.com'></param><param name='scaleMode' value='showAll'></param><param name='quality' value='high'></param><param name='allowNetworking' value='all'></param><param name='allowFullScreen' value='true' /><param name='FlashVars' value='external_make_id=Q8ntcKwqCphHhBIG4QU8PKwf&service=sendables.jibjab.com'></param><param name='allowScriptAccess' value='always'></param></object><div style='text-align:center; width:435px; margin-top:6px;'>Try JibJab Sendables® <a href='http://sendables.jibjab.com/sendables'>eCards</a> today!</div></div><img style="visibility:hidden;width:0px;height:0px;" border=0 width=0 height=0 src="http://counters.gigya.com/wildfire/IMP/CXNID=2000002.0NXC/bHQ9MTIyODI*Njk3MTk2MiZwdD*xMjI4MjQ4MTMwMDg4JnA9MTkxMTMxJmQ9MjY2Jm49YmxvZ2dlciZnPTImdD*mbz*wYmQ*ZTNjMWVkMTc*ZTdjYjA5YmViZmM3Mzc3ZmJlOA==.gif" />Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-64670795134088774542008-12-02T07:21:00.000-08:002008-12-02T10:54:22.099-08:00Welcome and all that good stuff!<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Ahhh</span>... The dawn of a new day and my new blog. Let me first take the time to welcome you all to my site. Thank you for taking the time to stop by and listen to my ramblings and pics of my works in progress.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzu4Tu_dnOOmOqcfN1tcmN8VmqY9xBt_tJAYVAVYzrVZejQsm-h0GFu4i_5wqEdR6zaI7-5VVA46vj51o2oDhV2FKgU08jF94f7gW0kTeoF5metEUWC9PIfILlTAUz49uxETg7yM4MzRw/s1600-h/Together+GoCar.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275220238830797746" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 133px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzu4Tu_dnOOmOqcfN1tcmN8VmqY9xBt_tJAYVAVYzrVZejQsm-h0GFu4i_5wqEdR6zaI7-5VVA46vj51o2oDhV2FKgU08jF94f7gW0kTeoF5metEUWC9PIfILlTAUz49uxETg7yM4MzRw/s200/Together+GoCar.jpg" border="0" /></a>So...a little about myself. I am am 32 year old mom of twins married to a great man named John. I currently work full time outside the home and have fun trying to balance the demands of mom, employee, friend, and (newly added) crafty craft artisan.<br /><br />I'm a Chicagoan as far as most are concerned. You see I grew up in sunny San Diego, California. My family is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">smattered</span> all along the Southern Californian borders (have been for ages now) so when you tell them you <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">live</span> in Illinois it's just easier for all to say Chicago.<br /><br />Growing up and watching T.V, I dreamed of going away to college in a part of the country that experienced four seasons. I watched programs of parents welcoming college students back for the holidays. It was all so very romantic and All-American in my mind. So it wasn't surprising that the college I choose to go to was smack dab in the heart of the country. While at college I met my John, a native of the great land of Lincoln. When I graduated I found it easier to find a job in Illinois. That and the fact that I was still dating John prompted me to lay down some roots and finally turn in my Californian ID to establish residency in Illinois.<br /><br />As vehemently as I was about returning to my homeland in the San <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Deezy</span>, next year will mark the 10<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">th</span> year of my graduation from college and the time I was supposed to return home. A few things I have learned:<br /><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>1. Four Seasons ain't all it's cracked up to be(and I don't mean the </strong><strong>hotel chain).</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">Especially when one of those </span><span style="font-size:85%;">seasons is winter. Snow is pretty and white and fluffy as </span><span style="font-size:85%;">long as you don't</span><span style="font-size:85%;"> have to drive or attempt to live in it. Can you tell I am so not a fan? </span><span style="font-size:85%;">Remember where I grew up? I swear our skin is thinner which has condemned me to a </span><span style="font-size:85%;">life of being perpetually cold. I won't even start on the commutes home during a </span><span style="font-size:85%;">snowstorm...Bah!</span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"></span><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong></strong><br /><strong>2. You can plan your life as well as you'd like and God will take a </strong><strong>look at it, pat</strong><strong> you on the head, and throw you a curve ball<span style="font-size:85%;">.</span></strong><span style="font-size:85%;"> </span><br /><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_od8_uQKorrLdH1YQfDDPCTNGFG2333B8JzCyr9G9Xl2i2TWxUEEQl5uQtnLtKXSQqQX6Kykiw0HHwOvt458EOstxS_xIGFpHs2HTgtlMWDFhS68DoSBCr7p_ozaT4ys4vjqCmPgDgs/s1600-h/Before+Twins.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275239601164195650" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 150px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS_od8_uQKorrLdH1YQfDDPCTNGFG2333B8JzCyr9G9Xl2i2TWxUEEQl5uQtnLtKXSQqQX6Kykiw0HHwOvt458EOstxS_xIGFpHs2HTgtlMWDFhS68DoSBCr7p_ozaT4ys4vjqCmPgDgs/s200/Before+Twins.jpg" border="0" /></a>This little tidbit came after John and I got married. After a year we decided to buy a home.</span><span style="font-size:85%;">We started with good solid starter home. A two bedroom townhouse that would house </span><span style="font-size:85%;">our two dogs, the two of us, and (God willing) a baby. We figured by the time we were </span><span style="font-size:85%;">ready for another child<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwq2dQhwaCBksUK7r9m2rlZYwvpBB6XJqXRNZ8yZJ1M6pcuTWCVujPwGE4rWwUvvP8cSEIVtBIZtxbIPOF4__CBCJFzi9SJvBITHBe9jZ4iQ2wi7P2vWjUn3QGG9cFQyuf5gu-kXGFbY/s1600-h/4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275242193466932434" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 96px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 68px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwq2dQhwaCBksUK7r9m2rlZYwvpBB6XJqXRNZ8yZJ1M6pcuTWCVujPwGE4rWwUvvP8cSEIVtBIZtxbIPOF4__CBCJFzi9SJvBITHBe9jZ4iQ2wi7P2vWjUn3QGG9cFQyuf5gu-kXGFbY/s200/4.jpg" border="0" /></a> (4-5 years later) we'd be ready to make a move into the next </span><span style="font-size:85%;">size <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0frDDr-JrbNWY_0UKFi2MBzdacqExOaqQPoHL0StwxvcLrmkA3pkM6skemszLSleovJDnbBYQ6UC6OYTcgL8EvMcn5GyRg9IP9EdvvZovEpMyQpbvzwDByXc6aVozXGeimn2oNR2DfQw/s1600-h/3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275241838357946322" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 96px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 72px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0frDDr-JrbNWY_0UKFi2MBzdacqExOaqQPoHL0StwxvcLrmkA3pkM6skemszLSleovJDnbBYQ6UC6OYTcgL8EvMcn5GyRg9IP9EdvvZovEpMyQpbvzwDByXc6aVozXGeimn2oNR2DfQw/s200/3.jpg" border="0" /></a>home. So we got pregnant and were ecstatic if not a little scared. Our first internal </span><span style="font-size:85%;">sonogram surprised our OB as much as it did us. After showing us the sack and </span><span style="font-size:85%;">subsequent bean in it she proclaimed with an ever so eloquent "Oh shit there's another </span><span style="font-size:85%;">sack"</span> <span style="font-size:85%;">were to be the parent of twins. Twins don't run in our family and we weren't doing anything more then what men and women have been doing for centuries so we had no reason to assume it would happen to us. It still amazes us that we were blessed and </span><span style="font-size:85%;">although they can drive us crazy, they are a huge source of our happiness. They have taught us so much about our patience (or lack there of) and just how much love your heart can take in. They teach us to slow down and enjoy silly things and that sometimes a hug, kiss and smile from there face can make all the bad melt away.</span><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275244116477214514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDF3n3srXf9O-hOM0OunNuRa01Hu4u0LN9f7p_VrGNQgPdxbIzCx4fOC4HIyMKTHhnNvMfbwxeghJoihkgYzdf9yxbrVD4ZIcExQ9RBNXC39uR9vYh5nOa9K34CbkWzWHJ1tVcUQljWQ/s200/On+Grass.jpg" border="0" /><strong>3. Family is invaluable</strong><br /><span style="font-size:85%;">So it is no surprise to those that know me that I'm not the biggest fan of the Midwest and it's winters. If I had the option I would be back in San Diego in a heartbeat (I always tell my husband I'm only hear because of him). It doesn't help that I am very close to my family (all of which still live in San Diego (mom, dad, 2 sisters)). Having the kids grow up with them missing so much of it is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">heart aching</span>. What has helped? I was a smart girl. I married a man that came with a fantastic family! He is the only son with 4 sisters. They welcomed me into there family with open arms. Along with the family came a scad of aunts, uncles, and cousins. As we younger ones get married and start families of our own the numbers continue to grow. It's the only thing that keeps me from missing my own family too much. They have been a constant source of support and help for us and I thank God that he brought them all into my life. </span><br />*******************************<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqDqop6oDKEbwJr6UVfOc3o9U4CMkgBRNWv6EqkKPlwTuu27JG72LyIgFL1HY-euoDQ05BDRPe4P0S9f6ru5ZijtpS3_3WY8UJqgHqwOE6djAnQRtyop4ht7Ah-JuBKxLX_HwrPITz2cE/s1600-h/Tallflags.+Marlene.jpg"></a><br />I have always been a crafty person. Crafting, in whatever form I happen to b<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1lXzqbnOpTLwt3lH9LnIu-rUa6KYqxvTAYoH0GoJoav2BBw6q0lAVyPND8CqAEQndKNQrjDi6i17bfBQm4gVlRcVgIIIbK58pelSjOfHWVkQzL-HbZEvRa1lXXXXLy2ZlnzUfw_z0RA/s1600-h/DSC05957.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275252276406747506" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1lXzqbnOpTLwt3lH9LnIu-rUa6KYqxvTAYoH0GoJoav2BBw6q0lAVyPND8CqAEQndKNQrjDi6i17bfBQm4gVlRcVgIIIbK58pelSjOfHWVkQzL-HbZEvRa1lXXXXLy2ZlnzUfw_z0RA/s320/DSC05957.JPG" border="0" /></a>e into at the time, has always allowed me to express myself and nurture the artistic side of who I am. In this crazy life of 40 hour work weeks and kids, and family, I often find the <strong><em>"old me" </em></strong>getting squashed. You know, the part that existed before all the other stuff came into play. That part that originally attracted your husband to you. The part that gets <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">easil</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAHEz7E5ixdXxrz0FBbaEL30XdpInXcZ2kabUZ7aWL0F95wcfXKHQIadIOIY7F1jnOWC9rKMj_d1CGxWeatYXqjAQeXntn62OVfqQB9QMnbE-CpIyaJRDRp5mgvj9ofVha0eGGVwACRpc/s1600-h/+Birthday+009.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275252550553775410" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 214px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm5y3YyetpY2tJ26i8WoKynwhpdeq1MT_eZ9K3TMq1RfHJ-OU0Av0YmjB-14Qmf5EF1NSt7zomqW2a-Ogff6Sy1z2GYTffKYv75nSwbiXY08GPiBO3XIeNMLGDo2lvftKNju0Yapg117o/s320/%233rd+Birthday+009.jpg" border="0" /></a>y forgotten in the hustle and bustle of life. I grew up with my mom making my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Halloween</span> costumes fro me. It was always a source of great pride for me. Throughout my years I have tried my hand at a number of things. A couple of things have really <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">stuck</span> with me, crocheting and sewing. I originally learned crocheting from my grandmother who once taught me the basics of how to crochet a chain and a few of the basic stitches. A few years ago I started a job and one of the older ladies was into crocheting and knitting. I asked her if she could teach me a little more about <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">crocheting</span> on a more advanced level. She did and I had a boom where I was doing nothing but crocheting projects of all types.<br /><br /><br />I decided at the beginning of the year that I wanted to buy myself a sewing machine and make my kids their Halloween costumes in hopes of creating some of the memories my mom had done for me. So I picked up a machine in June and began my quest. There weren't many <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ctd1yZ-6F9bw5zRFGlIZwKLhvkiYI9ZH_9gSX4sHT54RUA9BA4GGpU_b7oBAxxMDGVRxFug53sOoKVUlka7YTWUepFCiDOH29mE2eXsssSzYHC0HJ-d115B4z_M26UrHFaPW1oHjdAc/s1600-h/Mary"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275258669016529426" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 240px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ctd1yZ-6F9bw5zRFGlIZwKLhvkiYI9ZH_9gSX4sHT54RUA9BA4GGpU_b7oBAxxMDGVRxFug53sOoKVUlka7YTWUepFCiDOH29mE2eXsssSzYHC0HJ-d115B4z_M26UrHFaPW1oHjdAc/s320/Mary's+Apron.JPG" border="0" /></a>sewing classes available so I embarked on teaching myself through trial and error, books, and the help of some ladies at work. My first official project yield this apron as a gift to my sister. The next couple of projects included<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS0JF1RAjF_e7e-jPHTgmsDRLHUcPo1HBTqLt2_0w3jvQFn-tpL-tSfAOKCXfpMNSjRiuuN8o-sEDEPZrhafW68SWnYAwkCzlMM6zqywlz9_8ROUNl3G04-qfyG6MWqR0lFJjD6MkAuZY/s1600-h/+Birthday+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275259084094916626" style="FLOAT: right; MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 214px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirC6YU1RfPZxbHAqtbuAxS8hLQYatCoFzCYyfvlFfaHuqAUjop2BTjrgW3t8eX-zSr8wPLSPp1Wq-Sd42Y1vBWyhjMfpD-nLlMPAYN4rRhMBZFcQei0B-zb3Et42ksDjrAHAjuHhnTYXY/s320/%233rd+Birthday+010.jpg" border="0" /></a> a few dresses for my daughter and a shirt for my son. I ended up making my twins their birthday outfits since I wanted something to match their <strong><em>"Little Einstein's"</em></strong> theme. Of course the pinnacle of my success came on October 31st when we took the kids Trick or Treating in their outfits created by me. I had reached my goal and it turned out pretty good.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j0LsLqa7DwkXgm4Mk-jPk0_4KG544XgkMbfjVBBuRQrkeHaCOyZchHoK8pX1awCrarHF3DuicxFUT18AiReNVQZ9YEgoPXMQ0P1S9M9nYX7bTJW7qoJ_hzszjHxJMRYdqNOudDiKMTw/s1600-h/Hansel+and+Gretel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5275259954211660722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 213px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9j0LsLqa7DwkXgm4Mk-jPk0_4KG544XgkMbfjVBBuRQrkeHaCOyZchHoK8pX1awCrarHF3DuicxFUT18AiReNVQZ9YEgoPXMQ0P1S9M9nYX7bTJW7qoJ_hzszjHxJMRYdqNOudDiKMTw/s320/Hansel+and+Gretel.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />In between and since the above projects I have been creating away. I have added additional aprons (women's kids, and men's), nursing covers, and handbags. I have pictures. Oh so many pictures but I fear this post has already lost many of you so I'll put a cap on it and save for later. This blog from here on out will be mostly on my new sewing endeavors. I am new this site so look for it to change and grow as I do. I have found that reading others and posting has provided me with many new project ideas and helpful tips. I hope to attract some new readers and find some new one to read of my own.<br /><br />Happy reading!!!Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314295210221751870.post-80805901488122346812008-11-26T11:54:00.001-08:002008-11-26T11:55:16.591-08:00Site under construction!!!<span style="color:#ffffff;">Please feel free to check back as I get ready to launch this blog!</span>Marlenehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12165938754578688544noreply@blogger.com0